Clinical experiences and immersions are an integral part of the program. They help connect online class material to the very hands-on skills essential to physical therapy practice. As a learner in the program, you will participate in the following:
On-campus immersions: Learners visit USC’s world-class physical therapy learning laboratories approximately 12 times for in-person immersions. During these experiences, learners build and refine the skills they will need to help optimize human movement — skills such as physical evaluation, manual therapy and facilitation techniques, gait training, and exercise instruction.
Learners get to network with faculty and peers, too, as well as enhance skills in particular areas of interest during extended on-campus office hours.
Clinical experiences: Learners complete a total of 44 full-time weeks of clinical experiences at USC-approved sites, in the community of their choice. During these experiences, learners practice in at least six distinct placement sites in a broad spectrum of physical therapy settings.
Learners partner with a clinical placement specialist to find and secure clinical sites in or near their communities; gain support from USC faculty, who are available for one-on-one office hours; and receive guidance from a clinical instructor as they work with patients in a real-world setting.